CHICAGO — This city continues to make progress in reducing its “food deserts” — areas with limited access to affordable, nutritious food — according to researcher Mari Gallagher.

In 2010, 58,652 fewer individuals lived in underserved areas in Chicago than in the previous year, according to “The Chicago Food Desert Progress Report,” released in September by Gallagher, principal of Chicago-based Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group here.